Internship Announcement
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Special Uses Resource Assistant
Please Respond By January 10, 2020
Location: Hood River, OR 97031
The Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) in partnership with the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area will be advertising a Special Uses Resources Assistant (RA). This is a 9 month, full-time work experience from approximately mid-February to mid-November 2020. Created in 1984, and modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930’s, NYC is a non-profit job training and experiential education program for youth and young adults to learn and work in the field of natural resource management. NYC will recruit and hire the selected RA candidate providing personnel and Human Resources (HR) needs during the placement. www.nwyouthcorps.org
If you have questions about the Special Uses Resources Assistant Internship, please reach Northwest Youth Corps Internship Coordinator Andrew Tagge, andrewt@nwyouthcorps.org 541-357-8210 or Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (CRGNSA) Special Uses Program Manager Amy Linn, amy.linn@usda.gov. 541-308-1712.
The Position
The Resource Assistance Program is a rigorous, immersive work and learning experience that provides developmental and training opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about Forest Service careers, and allows for meaningful contribution to the agency’s mission.
The position will assist United States Forest Service (USFS) staff in the area of special use administration. Special uses include land uses such as commercial filming, utility lines, roads and research permits, and recreation uses such as outfitter and guiding and recreation events. Specific tasks include documentation in hard files and electronic files, billing support, correspondence with permit holders, database entry, inspection and monitoring of permit areas, creation of authorization documents, becoming knowledgeable in related policy, and assistance with the environmental review process. As knowledge and skills progress, the position will be expected to carry simple permits from the proposal and evaluation stage to completion.
Program Benefits
∙NYC will provide RA a stipend of $15,517.30, prorated into monthly payments, a $1,250 relocation, travel, and training allowance, health care coverage, workers compensation, and FICA/Medicare.
∙RA will have special Federal Government hiring authority upon completion of 960 hours of service.
∙The RA is responsible for the cost of housing.
Position Requirements
∙Valid state driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle
∙Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
∙Comfortable engaging and talking with the public and permittees
∙Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
∙Proficient at using a computer as work will involve databases, Microsoft Word and other software
∙Ability to work independently and with others
∙Work environment conditions range from working inside an office setting and in the field to inspect permit activities
∙Physical activity and exposure to weather elements on occasion. It involves walking over varied or sometimes rough terrain
∙Government vehicles are available for work-related travel
∙Government-sponsored housing is not available on this unit
∙RA’s are responsible for travel to and from duty station
The CRGNSA Forest Service office, located in Hood River, Oregon, is a single Forest Service administrative unit combining both supervisor’s office and ranger district responsibilities. Established by Congress in 1986, the CRGNSA stretches along both sides of the Columbia River from the mouth of the Sandy River to the mouth of the Deschutes River, and encompasses portions of southern Washington and northern Oregon. The Gorge is unique in its natural and cultural history, as well as its designation as a National Scenic Area. With its 85-mile east-to-west span, an elevational range from near sea level to almost 5,000 feet, and a strong precipitation gradient, the Gorge contains a unique concentration of diverse ecosystems, from temperate rainforest to dry bunchgrass hills. The USDA Forest Service is the federal agency charged with implementing the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, managing the White Salmon and Klickitat Wild and Scenic Rivers, a portion of the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness, and protecting and enhancing the scenic, natural, cultural and recreational resources of the Columbia River Gorge.
The Scenic Area has a complex special uses program, with over 100 permits capturing a diverse use of National Forest System lands. Recreation uses include a resort (Multnomah Falls Lodge), an outfitter and guide permits, commercial boating permits, recreation events, commercial filming, utilities such as power, phone and water transmission lines, research studies, road easements, dams, and much more.
Hood River, a town of 7,300 in the heart of the Gorge, is known for its fruit orchards, vineyards, and wineries, and for world class kiteboarding and windsurfing. It has excellent schools, medical facilities, churches and a range of housing opportunities. Rentals range from $750 to $1600 per/month. Affordable rentals are hard to find in the summer months. Many Scenic Area employees choose to live in The Dalles, in the nearby smaller cities of Parkdale, Mosier or Cascade Locks, or across the river in White Salmon, Washington. The nearest large city, Portland, Oregon, is about 60 miles to the west. The Dalles, Oregon, is about 25 miles to the east. Additional information on the area can be found at the following sites:
Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa
City of Hood River: http://ci.hood-river.or.us
Application Instructions
Below
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Application Deadline: January 10, 2020
Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received.
Type of position: Individual Placement
Service Dates mid-February to mid-November
Length of Term: 190 days
How to apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references saved in one PDF as LastName_FirstName_SpecialUsesRA.pdf for example: Tagge_Andrew_SpecialUsesRA.pdf to the contact listed below. Please specify all duty locations you are applying for within your cover letter and email body when applying (i.e. Columbia River Gorge, Malheur NF, Ochoco NF).
Andrew Tagge – Conservation Internship Coordinator andrewt@nwyouthcorps.org
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination on all its programs and activities